TWO INJURED WHEN ROCK CLIMBER FLIPS IN JOHNSON VALLEY

Two local men were injured in an off-road vehicle accident in Johnson Valley Monday. According to Fire Captain Steve Lasiter, two men in their 30s were taking a $100,000 rock climber out for the first time at the Means Dry Lake, and were driving “pretty fast” when the rock climber flipped. The men, who were said to be wearing appropriate safety gear EXCEPT for helmets, both sustained head injuries, along with a possible back injury. One man was airlifted to Desert Hospital in Palm Springs; the other was transported by ground ambulance to Desert Hospital. At least one of the men is believed to be from Yucca Valley.